Entering the United States illegally often means risking one’s life by crossing dangerous borders, such as rivers or deserts, as is the case with the Mexico-U.S. border, the main entry point for Latin American immigrants. The crisis at the U.S. border has been ongoing for centuries, and with each change of government, attempts have been made to bring some order to disordered immigration. However, far from solving the issue, the current government has taken some measures to make the entry of millions of people who gather at the Mexican border a little more “fair” and “humane” by ending the restriction of “Title 42,” which allowed the immediate expulsion of anyone who entered U.S. territory illegally.
Immigrants who now cross illegally face harsher consequences at the border, including a minimum five-year reentry ban and the potential for criminal prosecution if they attempt again. This was the case for a Brazilian man sentenced to prison in Massachusetts. Julio Cesar Ferreira Artur, 41, illegally entered the U.S. three times. The first time was in 2005 when he was deported to Brazil. He returned, was deported again in 2018, entered for the third time, and was sentenced in May this year.
Lawyer Ingrid Domingues McConville warns that attempting to enter through the border is very dangerous and entirely inadvisable. However, for immigrants who enter illegally through the border and intend to stay in the United States, the path is tricky and often frustrating, despite restricted possibilities of legalization. With deportation, whether at the border or through legal entries (airport, port, etc.), the foreigner is suspended for 5 to 10 years from setting foot on American soil, which complicates matters even if the person becomes eligible for an immigrant visa.
The list of visa types for Brazilians is extensive and depends on each person’s profile to fit into one of them. The main immigrant visas are related to family (parent, children, or American spouse), work visas (with an employer), investor visas, religious visas, and visas for skilled, extraordinary, or exceptionally talented professionals.
For Brazilians in Brazil or legally in the U.S. who want to live in the United States, there are many possibilities to achieve this, provided they are well-guided on the paths to follow, as there are myths and truths that can lead anyone to make irreparable mistakes.
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- Ingrid Domingues-McConville founded DM VISA LAW – Domingues McConville, P.A. in 1995. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1995 and a member of the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida. Ingrid earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and her law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. With 28 years of experience in Immigration Law, Ingrid has represented clients throughout the United States and worldwide, addressing both business and family immigration matters. She has helped companies and individuals obtain visas and permanent residency in the United States. Ingrid plays a significant role in the Brazilian community in South Florida and throughout the United States, providing much-needed guidance and legal advice.